Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-06-24
Poor Advice Given by Secretaries Bayard
ann Endicott and the Attorney Gen
errl-A Chance to ImmOrtali1e
the Presidents Name.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
the Presidents Name.


NEW YORK, June 2O.-A Washington
special says: While it is emphatically
denied at the White House that the sub
ject was discussed by the cabinet before
the order to return the rebel flags was
given, it is charged in other quarters with
almost equal emphasis, that the cabinet
did discuss the question at length. 1t is
alleged by very good authority that Mr..
Endcott brought the matter up at a
cabinet meeting and urged the adoption
of Gen. Drums recommendation; that all
the members of the cabinet, with one eX-
ception, favored the return of the flags.
The exception was Postmaster General
Villas, who served in the Union army. He
did not think it would be a polite move,
but gave in to his associates.
1t is also asserted that Mr.. Bayard was
the most enthusiastic on the subject, even
going so far as to assure the president
that the execution of the order would
make him a name that would live forever.
The legality of the step was referred to
the attorney general, who gave it as his
opinion that there was nothing in the law
to prevent it. The true story of how, the
order came to be issued never will be
known Those who are familiar with the
presidents habits, however, say he would
not have decided such an important mat
ter without consulting his cabinet. Adj
iutant General Drum said repeatedly be-
lore the president rescinded the order that
the matter had been fully discussed by the
cabinet.
BALTIMORE, June 20.--The special
Washington correspondent of the Sun had
an interview with Representative Blount
of Georgia on the battle flag order, its re-
call and the probable effect it will have in
the South 1t says: Commenting upon
that while it was an unfortunate error,
particularly at this time, he does not
Think it will lessen the good opinion of
the Southern people toward Mr.. Cleve-
land The most serious feature of the
transaction is that up to the present time
President Cleveland has been regarded
as an unusually prudent man, who sell
dom gives his official sanction to an act
until he has carefully examined the sub
iect. aud informed himself as to what is
to be accomplished and what the ultimate
result will be. Some people will be foolish
enough to charge him with carelessness
in not giving Gen. Drums suggestion
proper examination IN the nrst place.
There are others who will charge that he
issued the original order without intend
ing that it should be carried out. 1t was
an unfortunate mistake also, continued
Mr. Blount, for the reason that the South
ern people do not want these old banners,
as they would simply remind them of
their past sufferingS and losses, and re-
call memories which are best forgotten.
However, these people who are charging
President Cleveland with insincerity be-
cause he has sought to rectify his mis-
take by revoking an order which need not
have been made, seem to forget that Gen.
Grant, while president, got up one morn
ing and accepted the resignation OF one OF
his cabinet officers before breakfast in or
der to prevent the latter's impeachment
for gross misconduct in Office"